Human Services Careers:
Entry-level career paths in this area focus on providing a variety of services to a diverse group of clients. Such services might include the assessment of client needs and eligibility for services, assisting clients in securing financial support, and helping clients with daily life skills. Typical positions titles include case management aide, life skills counselor, gerontology aide, and mental health worker. For more information on human services occupations go to: http://www.nationalhumanservices.org/what-is-human-services
Education Careers:
Students who have in interest in School Psychology or working with children have some options available with their undergraduate degree in psychology. Childcare Workers are employed by nursery schools, preschools, public and private schools, as well as after-school programs. These positions focus on providing activities and opportunities for children that focus on their overall well being and development. For more information on educational psychology careers go to: http://www.advanceinpsychology.com/psychology-resources/educational-psychology.html
Law Enforcement Careers:
There are a number of careers that integrate psychological knowledge with the legal system. These include positions such as a police officer, corrections officer, parole officer, juvenile detention worker, and forensic science technician. Students wishing to apply their undergraduate psychology degree to a career in law enforcement or forensics are recommended to do the following: (1) Take PSYC 353 Adult Psychopathology, PSYC 425 Psychology and the Law, along with coursework in communications, criminology, juvenile delinquency, and substance abuse. (2) Complete a volunteer or internship experience working in a mental health or criminal justice setting (i.e. Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Juvenile Treatment, Substance Abuse Center). (3) Conduct research focusing on forensic psychology, abnormal behavior, or substance abuse. For more information on law enforcement careers go to: http://www.golawenforcement.com/
Health Careers:
Psychology can have a great impact on one's health and lifestyle choices. Several opportunities exist for bachelor level career paths in this area including being a recreational therapist, occupational therapy assistant, physical therapy assistant, or health educator. To become a Health Psychologist you will want to pursue a doctoral degree in clinical or counseling psychology and specialize in health psychology during your postdoctoral training. For more information on health setting careers in psychology go to: http://www.healthpsych.com or http://www.healthpsychology.net
Human Resources Careers:
The field of human resources is often a good match for Bachelor degree graduates possessing an interest in Industrial/Organizational Psychology. Since human resource professionals are in the business of working with people, psychology graduates often make appealing candidates for entry-level positions. Typical job titles might include human resource generalist, employment, recruitment, and placement specialist, training and development specialist, and compensation and benefits specialist. If you're considering a career in human resources after graduation you may wish to take PSYC 361 Industrial/Organizational Psychology as well as a few business courses to fulfill elective requirements. For more information on human resources careers go to:
http://www.shrm.org/Pages/default.aspx
Business Careers:
One skill psychology majors often acquire is the ability to analyze and interpret data. This skill can be applied to a host of career paths related to business. For example, insurance underwriters apply quantitative psychology in determining loss risk, premium rates, and the individual or organization's insurance policy with regard to risk of loss. Budget Analysts use data to assist organizations in the effective allocation of financial resources. Other psychology career paths related to business include advertising, customer relations, financial research, marketing, public relations, and sales. For more information on business careers related to psychology go to: http://www.wcas.northwestern.edu/psych/undergraduate_studies/career_planning/psychology_and_business.html
Research Careers:
If research is your passion consider pursuing a Bachelor's level research assistant position within education, industry, government, or the non-profit sector. A Bachelor's level professional research assistant position will benefit you should you at a later date decide to apply to Ph.D. programs in psychology. For more information on research careers in psychology go to: http://www.psychologyjobs.com/research-psychology-jobs/
Technical Careers:
Psychiatric Technicians assist patients with emotional and mental disorders. This career path monitors a patient's emotional and physical well being, provides biofeedback, and administers therapeutic services and medications. For more information about a career as a psychiatric technician go to: http://www.psychtechs.org/
